Tuesday, September 19, 2000

WORCESTER City's four-match unbeaten run came to an end last night as their Bath City bogey struck again.

A 3-2 defeat saw them slip down to seventh place in the Dr Martens League Premier Division.

They didn't really deserve reward from a niggly game played in driving rain, despite having a man advantage for the last quarter of the game after former City midfielder Jimmy Fraser was sent off.

City have now failed to beat Bath in eight meetings and manager John Barton said: "It is difficult to get yourself in a position to win matches when you consider the manner of the goals we have conceded.

"We have let in 19 goals now and poor Danny McDonnell wonders what he has done wrong.

"Tonight we got out-toughed in midfield and bullied out of it -- I don't think we had a physical presence at all."

It all started well for City when after five minutes, a defensive error allowed Carl Tranter to pull the ball back from the by-line and Mark Owen slotted home his sixth goal of the season.

They looked comfortable in the early stages but then Bath started to win the midfield battles, the influential Paul Carty being hampered by an early ankle injury.

They also found space, especially on the flanks, although Carl Heeley and Mark Tucker were brave in the centre of defence and McDonnell earned his corn with a couple of crucial saves.

Yet another set-piece, the source of many of City's problems this season, brought a deserved equaliser on 37 minutes when former Hereford United player Kevin Lloyd headed home player-manager Paul Bodin's left-wing corner.

Five minutes later, a long pass from the influential Bodin left City exposed on the right and Martin Paul's cross was swept home by Mike Davis.

City levelled again in bizarre fashion in the 55th minute. Paul Carty's quick free-kick sent Owen away down the right, he crossed and defender Lee Vickerman's clearance hit 'keeper Sal Bibbo and trickled towards goal where Tranter tapped home his fourth goal in five games.

But nine minutes later, Bath were back in front when Paul beat McDonnell at his near post with a close-range volley.

Fraser's dismissal for a second bookable offence three minutes later failed to lift City who rarely looked like scoring again, although Steve Lutz's late header forced a good save from Bibbo.

Worcester: McDonnell 7, Brad-ley 5 (Hyde 75), Jukes 6, Tucker 7, Heeley 8, Cottrill 6, Wyatt 6, Lutz 6, Owen 7, Tranter 7, Carty 6. Subs not used: Scheppel, Joyce.

Star man: Carl Heeley.

Attendance: 546.